Dunfermline chief executive Ross McArthur has hailed the tremendous show of support from the club’s fans after season ticket sales smashed through the 2,000 barrier in just three weeks.
That’s 850 up on the same time last year as the Pars prepare for the coming season in what should be a cracking Championship.
And McArthur believes that the level of season tickets sold exemplifies the new-found positivity surrounding the club.
He said last night: “Season ticket sales have been going really well with 2,046 being bought in just three weeks.
“That’s up 850 on the same time last year and there are also just short of 300 new season ticket holders which is tremendous.
“The early bird offer ends tomorrow so obviously a lot of fans snapped them up but I think it epitomises just how much positivity surrounds the club.
“We know the Championship will be an incredibly-tough league this year but we have local derbies against Falkirk and Raith Rovers to look forward to as well as games against Hibs and Dundee United, while not forgetting the likes of St Mirren and Ayr who have also come up and gave us a lot of tough games in League One.
“It is a big challenge but one we are looking forward to.”
Pars boss Allan Johnston has been working hard putting together a squad for next season, with 15 players signed up including new additions, Nat Wedderburn from Inverness and Lee Ashcroft from Kilmarnock.
However, doubt still remains over the futures of others including star striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui.
The prolific forward netted 30 times last season with the 23-year-old attracting interest from elsewhere including clubs down south.
Dunfermline are still waiting to hear whether he will be staying or going and McArthur is hoping there will be a conclusion to the situation within the next fortnight.
He added: “Without being disrespectful, we began speaking with Allan about this season’s playing budget in November.
“We had to have plans in place and thankfully because we were promoted back in March, we were able to put things in play.
“Players are obviously entitled to keep their options open but we are delighted that we have 15 signed and the management team are also signed up.
“We are really pleased with our new signings and Allan is speaking to others.
“We have to manage expectations after what you could call a period of pain for the club but we are in a good position at the moment.
“We are also keeping in touch with Faissal’s agent and we spoke again on Friday.
“There has obviously been interest from elsewhere but hopefully we will have a decision within the next fortnight.
“We would be over the moon if he decided to stay but we also need to have contingency plans in place if he opts to leave.
“The manager is also in the final stages of dealing with the other players who are out of contract.”
